CWC 2019: ENG vs SA Preview – Hosts start favourites in curtain raiser

The 2019 World Cup is finally here. The Quadrennial event is undoubtedly cricket’s flagship event. After a gap of 20 years, the trophy returns where it all began – England. To make it more special, the home team starts as overwhelming favourites. They will be in action tomorrow against the gritty South African team in the tournament opener.

Since the 2015 World Cup, England have been at the forefront of ODI records. They have won more matches than any other team. They have scored their runs faster than anyone else. They have breached the mark of 400 runs four times and have their sights set on 500. Their batting is so deep that they bat till number 15. Eoin Morgan’s men are challenging the norms of ODI cricket.

The only other team that has breached the 400-run mark in the last four years is South Africa. Yes, they are here without their greatest-ever batsman, but they still have a formidable unit. Captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock are in superb touch with the bat while their pace battery is second to none. With no pressure of expectations on the team, they are expected to put up a show.

Match info:

England vs South Africa, 1st Match

Kennington Oval, London (03:00 PM IST)

Team news:

England – 

The home team faced a few injuries in the warm-up games. Captain Eoin Morgan, fast bowler Mark Wood and spinner Liam Dawson were under a threat but all are likely to be fit before the opening match. Jofra Archer should definitely be making his World Cup debut tomorrow. The only tricky question for England will be picking their third seamer. The choice will be between Liam Plunkett and Tom Curran. Plunkett is favourite at the moment.

Probable XI:

J Roy, J Bairstow, J Root, E Morgan (c), J Buttler (wk), B Stokes, M Ali, C Woakes, A Rashid, J Archer, L Plunkett/T Curran.

South Africa – 

The Proteas will be without their pace spearhead, Dale Steyn, in the first match. The speedster is not fully fit and will be missing from action. Other than him, the South African unit is fully fit and raring to go.

Probable XI:

Q de Kock (wk), H Amla, F du Plessis, R van der Dussen, JP Duminy, D Miller, A Phehlukwayo, C Morris, K Rabada, L Ngidi, I Tahir

Numbers that matter:

– England and South Africa have faced each other six times in the World Cup, the record stands in balance (3-3). Overall, the head to head record is in favour of South Africa with 29 wins from 59 matches

– Quinton de Kock averages 66.14 against England in ODIs. In eight matches, he has struck two centuries and one half-century

– Kagiso Rabada has dominated Jos Buttler in their confrontations. The South African pacer has sent back Buttler thrice in 22 balls while conceding only 13 runs